Miniature rose plant `Bit O&#39; Gold`

ABSTRACT

The subject of the present disclosure is a new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant characterized by the clear bright yellow color of the flowers and by the profusion of bloom.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy,dwarf, bush type rose plant of the miniature class; the variety beingprimarily characterized--as to novelty--by small golden yellow flowerswhich in general color effect are similar to Golden Angel, a miniaturevariety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,028).

The variety is further characterized by:

An abundance of bloom, with flowers borne singly or several to the stemin loose clusters.

Sweet light fragrance.

A plant which is vigorous, of rounded somewhat upright shape withsemi-glossy to matt, small foliage, with pointed leaflets; the buds andflowers being similar in form and size to Gold Coin (miniature--U.S.Plant Pat. No. 2,921), but averaging less petals.

The plant, which has a normal height of about 12 inches, can easily bemaintained at lesser height by occasional trimming.

A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily both in greenhouse andoutdoors; is good for growing in pots; and provides excellent gardendecoration as well as cut flowers.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me at my nurserylocated at Dallas, Tex., under conditions of careful control andobservation, as a cross between an un-named seedling (miniature--notpatented), as the seed parent and Golden Angel (miniature--U.S. PlantPat. No. 4,028,), as the pollen parent.

Subsequent to origination of the variety I successfully reproduced it,at my nursery, located as aforesaid, by budding as well as by cuttings;the reproductions having run true in all respects.

The color photograph illustrates the variety, including the foliage,buds and flowers.

Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant, the following is a detailed description thereof in outline;all major color plate identifications being by reference to the BritishColour Council Horticultural Colour Chart, except where common terms ofcolor definition are employed.

Type: Hardy; dwarf; bushy; rounded; seedling; greenhouse; outdoors; cutflowers; garden decoration; potted plant.

Class: Miniature. Variety Name: Bit O'Gold.

Flowers borne: Usually singly -- sometimes several together on slenderwirey stems.

Quantity of bloom: Abundant both outside and in greenhouse.

Bud:

Peduncle.--Medium to short length; slender but sturdy; erect; mediumgreen, sometimes tinted bronze (outdoors).

Hairs.--Fairly numerous.

Before calyx breaks.--Size -- small. form short; pointed with severalfoliaceous apendages and few or no tiny hairs on surface of bud; withfoliaceous parts extending beyond the top of the bud equal to one-halfor more of its length. Color -- medium green, occasionally tinted withbronze (outdoors).

As calyx breaks.--Color -- yellow.

Opening.--Opens well in all weather.

Bloom:

Size when fully open.--Small, averaging about 25 mm (1").

Petalage.--Double -- averaging about 40 petals, arranged regularly plussometimes several small petaloids.

Form.--Imbricated, becoming more open in center, with petals reflexingloosely outward, and later at maturity, rolled loosely outward, anddownward. Open flowers may show stamens.

Petals: Fairly thick; satiny on inside and on outside surface.

Shape.--Outside petals, broad lanceolate with small (short) acute tip;intermediate -- broad lanceolate with rounded tip; inside -- lanceolatewith rounded tip.

Color: Newly opened flower from a plant grown outdoors (1981 season),Dallas, Tex.

Outside petal.--Outside surface -- near Cadmium Orange 8/2 or SaffronYellow 7/2. Inside surface -- near Cadium Orange 8/2 or Saffron Yellow7/2.

Intermediate petal.--Outside surface -- similar to outside petal. Insidesurface -- similar to outside petal.

Inner petal.--Outside surface -- similar to intermediate petal; insidesurface -- similar to intermediate petal. General color effect; newlyopened flowers -- rich gold yellow. Three days open -- color similar tonewly opened flowers but less brilliant. Behavior -- opens well in allweather. Spent petals drop off. Flower longevity (May 1981) -- plant inpot 6 -- 8 days or longer. Cut flowers at living room temperature 4-5days or longer.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Few -- often malformed.

Filaments.--Varying length, yellow.

Anthers.--Yellow.

Pollen.--Little or none.

Pistils.--Average number.

Styles.--Fairly even; medium to short length; bunched; color --greenish.

Ovaries.--All enclosed in calyx.

Hips.--None.

Sepals.--Permanent; spear shaped; recurved against peduncle.

Seed.--None.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Compound of five (sometimes three or seven) leaflets; quitesmall; leathery; semi-glossy to matt.

Leaflets.--Shape: broad, nearly oval; apex acute; base rounded orrounded acute. Margin serrate. Color: medium to dark green; new growth-- normal (medium) green. Rachis: medium strength; upperside may have afew very tiny short prickles or hairs, grooved; underside sparselythorny with few or no tiny prickles. Stipules: short; narrow to mediumwidth; short to medium length; narrow points which turn out usually atabout 45 degrees or less.

Growth:

Habit.--Dwarf; bushy; rounded; much branched.

Growth.--Free, vigorous; internodes short.

Canes.--Medium slender; sturdy.

Main stems.--Color: medium green.

Thorns.--Few; slender; hooked slightly downward; color -- tan. Prickles-- none. Hairs -- none.

Branches.--Color: medium green. Thorns: few; medium length; slender;nearly straight, inclined downward. Medium oval base. Prickles: none.Hairs: none.

The miniature rose plant and its flowers as herein described may vary inslight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditions under whichthe variety may be grown; the present description being of the varietyas grown at Dallas, Tex.

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant of hardy; dwarf; bushy; rounded; much branched habit,substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by buds andflowers of a rich gold yellow color, being of a shade (or range)generally near Cadmium Orange 8/2 to Saffron Yellow 7/2 (or similar),the buds and flowers resembling the variety Gold Coin (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 2,921) in form and size; and further characterized by a plant ofvigorous and compact growth habit, easy to propagate from cuttings, withan abundance of small to medium size semi-glossy to matt foliage and anabundance of flowers borne singly or several to the stem in loosecluster.